Colin Drake, Project Architect, will present on the Libraries of Our Future: The Story of the Architecture of the Southwest Library.

Project Description: The Louisville Southwest Regional Library is the first of three new regional libraries strategically positioned to serve the suburban regions of Metro Louisville. The project was a true design collaboration between the Louisville Free Public Library's design team, JRA Architects, and MSR of Minneapolis. Over 120,000 books and media offerings are available in a building that aspires to be a vessel for daylight. The exterior was inspired by the act of discovery, with symbolic metal curtains that are peeled away to reveal greater knowledge within. The surrounding site re-imagines the suburban parking lot as a vessel for rainwater, allowing the property to collect and infiltrate all of the water from several surrounding properties to relieve the burden on the municipal system. Supreme adaptability drove the interior arrangement to allow the facility to react to rapid changes in library programming. Outside, a variety of earth tone materials were selected for their durability, texture, and depth, allowing daylight and shadow to animate the facade throughout the day. The entire project was meant as a new model of sustainability for Louisville, as the project expects to receive LEED Gold certification. Most importantly, the new Southwest Regional Library aspires to be a landmark in the community for generations to come, offering lifelong learning to its users and acting as a catalyst for future neighborhood development.

For those that are interested, please e-mail your contact information as well as what ARE divisions you are interested in reviewing & your availability to meet, i.e. after work, weekends, etc.

Ideally a study group would consist of 3-5 members per ARE division.

Based on the responses that are received, we'll look to help create study groups based on ARE division interests and meeting availabilities.

Jean-Paul Grivas, AIA,  IDP Chairman, jpgrivas@pdmarchitects.com

Please forward this information to people in your office or that you may know who are studying for the ARE who may not be getting these AIA email announcements

The AIA Central Kentucky Chapter is now accepting applications for our 2015 AIA Associate Grants and 2015 Emerging Professional Grants. This program enables Architectural Interns and Emerging Professionals to become members of AIA Central Kentucky Chapter.  The grants pay the membership fees for up to ten Associates to become Associate AIA members and two Architects who have been registered for less than 5 years and have never been AIA members to become AIA members.  In exchange grant recipients are expected to be active in the chapter for the year of the grant with the hope that they continue being active in the future becoming the next generation of chapter leaders.

AIA Grant recipients are asked to serve on one or more of the following committees: Trade Fair, Programs, IDP, Website, House Tour, Continuing Education, Media and the Habitat for Humanity House.

Additionally Grant Recipients will be expected to help on the day of the Trade Fair on March 3, 2015 and the day of the House Tour in September.

Current or prospective AIA Associate members as well as 2014 grant recipients are eligible. Download and fill out the application then return it by email to Mathew Triplett, AIA, 2014 CKC President at Matt.Triplett@hhdesignbuild.com by 5:00 pm, January 13, 2014. Up to ten AIA Associate Grants and two Emerging Professional Grants will be awarded. The applications will be voted on at the January AIA/CKC board meeting on January 14th.

Click here for application

Please note applicants who are not already members must fill out the AIA Associate or Architect membership application as well.  These applications are attached to the Associate Grant application.